Sleazy Bill

On many issues South Africa is rather conservative even though laws have been passed outlawing the death penalty and sanctioning gay marriages. This week the Film and Publications Bill being proposed in Parliament would impose great power to government in the area of sexual freedom. Until now, publishers and broadcasters have considerable freedom of expression but the new law would give the government power to clamp down on media content dealing with sexual conduct as well as the advocacy of hatred. Ostensibly, the proposed legislation focuses on child pornography, but another intent is an attack on nudity and sexual content being portrayed in the media. Soft porn is also a constitutional right.Information from The Mail and Guardian of South Africa

The price of freedom of the press is that all perspectives are allowed, even those we despise. The Mail and Guardian’s editorial is right on target.